The Catholic Spirit Archbishop Hebda, Bishops Izen, Kenney to pray March 6 at adoration in the capitol

In a troubled time for Minnesota, Archbishop Bernard Hebda and Auxiliary Bishops Michael Izen and Kevin Kenney will join the faithful for Eucharistic adoration at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 6, Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC) officials said.

Adoration has been offered in the Governor’s Dining Room in the basement level of the Capitol for several years, said Maggee Hangge, MCC’s assistant director for operations and family policy. This year it will be offered in the larger Capitol Vault Room B15, also in the basement level, right below the rotunda, said Jason Adkins, the conference’s executive director and general counsel.

The initiative is an opportunity to pray for lawmakers and their work, everyone in Minnesota and the common good, Adkins said. Recent violence and turmoil in the state is another reason to participate, he said. The community is reflecting on and responding to the June 14 shooting deaths of state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and wounding by the same suspect of state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, at their respective homes, as well as the Aug. 27 shooting during an all-school Mass that killed two students at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis, Adkins said. In December, an increase in federal immigration enforcement efforts in Minnesota led to protests and federal agents in January, in separate incidents, shooting two Minnesota residents who died.

“I think everyone’s really feeling heavy right now,” Adkins said. “What better thing could we do than to get to the Capitol and pray for our state and be in the presence of the Lord right at the center of where so many major decisions are happening?”

Bishops from Minnesota will be at each of the three dates for Eucharistic adoration during the legislative session, with Bishop Daniel Felton of Duluth scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 10 and Bishops Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester, Andrew Cozzens of Crookston, Patrick Neary of St. Cloud and Chad Zielinski of New Ulm expected from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 1.

...

Two additional MCC initiatives from the standpoint of prayer, Adkins said, are designed to help lawmakers and staff at the Capitol. One of them will be Bishop Zielinski celebrating Mass at the Capitol Feb. 18 — Ash Wednesday, Adkins said.

The other is the appointment of MCC’s first legislative chaplain, Deacon Kevin Conneely of the archdiocese, Adkins said. “Deacon Conneely’s role is to serve our elected officials. He doesn’t lobby. He’s just a spiritual resource and a guide to them in this very difficult work of praying for our state and working for the good of our state,” Adkins said.

...

Read the full article at The Catholic Spirit.